5 tips to finding time and energy
If I could bottle up time and energy and sell it at a dollar a pop, I’d be a bazillionaire before the weekend. Sadly, there is no magic elixir, no single (or bucket-load) of supplements, no instant-fix.
But don’t go, there’s definitely a fix. Though here’s the catch – it will take a bit of time and energy. *Cue eye rolling.
Let me explain. For everyone, but I am specifically speaking to women here, by the time you get to your late 30’s to 40’s it can feel like your energy-well has run dry. You struggle to rustle up enough energy just to get through the seemingly endless list of chores and responsibilities you have, but there’s nothing left for you. No fun. No creativity. And sometimes not even time to look after your basic health needs.
And if it feels like everyone owns a piece of you that’s probably because they do. Your work, kids, partner, family and friends, and in a way that’s great because it shows connection. The issue is when you wake up one day and realise that you’re no longer in control of your own time. You spend your days meeting everyone else’s needs and now you’re pretty much over it, tired, peri/menopausal and really need to look after yourself but there’s no hours left in the day and no water in your well.
Feeling exhausted, burnout, stressed and time-poor are common, but they’re not compulsory, even as a parent. (Definitely some people will be in situations that change is difficult or even impossible for a period of time, but most of us can take action to improve our lives.) When we look at our lives, there are some things we can directly influence (like our decisions on how we spend or time) and some things we can’t directly influence (like if there is a recession), but even with those we can choose how we respond to them.
So, start on the things you can do now, and even though they might be very small actions, they form a foundation for the next action, and then that action is the foundation for the next, and so on. Build on change, habit-stack, and feel more in control
Here are 5 tips to find time and energy to get you started:
1. Take a time audit
Look at how you spend your time, does it reflect what’s important to you? For example, in 2022 Australians spent an average 3hrs 44min watching TV &/or streaming services, and 1hr 57min on social media. That’s a whopping 2 ½ days a month just on social media. Halve that and you get more than a day back already.
2. Do an energy audit
Once you’ve noted how you’re spending your time, then look at the things you are doing and think about whether they make you feel more drained or more energised? Does going for a walk make you more energised that watching another crime series? Or more rested? (Remember, watching TV or scrolling online doesn’t necessarily mean you feel more rested, even if you’re doing it while lying on the sofa). Are there people who full you and others that suck your energy dry? (Want more help with this? Download the free Why am I so tired? mini-guide.)
3. Make boundaries your superpower
If you want to increase your energy, have more time to do things that are important to you, and get back in the driver’s seat of your own life, then you’re going to want to make boundaries your new superpower. Personal boundaries are how we define for ourselves and others what we’re okay with and what we’re not okay with, and really, we can’t take care of ourselves without them.
Understanding and setting your boundaries enables you t reclaim some of your time, and it helps to avoid feeling resentment, sadness, and anger that can build up when we feel like our limits have been pushed, our boundaries crossed. For boundaries to work most effectively, and to not lose all of our friends and family, we need to communicate them clearly and with respect.
4. Prioritise and diarise
By prioritising your own needs, including your health and wellbeing needs, you will feel more rested and have more energy! Prioritise yourself, and once you decide what it is that you need and want to do, put it in the diary and commit to it. It might be booking an appointment with your dentists or nutritionist, time to do a 20 online pilates class, going to bed 20 minutes earlier, or catching up with a friend, whatever you need.
5. Yoga nidra
Yoga nidra, or yogic sleep, is a simple but incredibly effective practice that is easy to learn and maintain. It allows you to calm your body, moving from sympathetic nervous system activation (fight-or-flight) to parasympathetic (rest-and-digest), lowering blood pressure and relaxing muscle tension. It also provides a respite from the mental chatter and busyness, allowing you to feel rested and energised, and with improved concentration after only a short time. You can start by listening to free apps like Insight Timer.
Check out The Rest Rescue Bundle to get you started.
